Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Boston baked beans, Boston creme pie, Boston....terrier?

I took Floyd (the stray cat) to a local shelter today. It was time...no one wanted him, and I wasn't about to ask Rachel and Kevin, since they have 8 cats, some of them temporary, some not. While I was at the shelter, I decided to look at the dogs.

I looked at all the dogs, and also peeked in the cat room.

They have so many animals. My heart kept getting lodged up in my throat.

But something made me go back into the dog room.

As I walked down the aisle, I noticed a dog that had not been there a few minutes ago.

*Insert dreamy, lovey music*

Warning: I took these pictures with my camera phone, and I don't know how to enlarge them. But you will get the idea.

It was like a very skinny Chet Baker, staring out through the bars of the cage. I asked the staff to bring him to a "Get acquainted" room.

I sat down on the floor as he came in, and he proceeded to climb into my lap, put his paws around my neck and placed his chin on my shoulder. Then he sighed.

About that time Geoff called, wondering where I was. I told him what was up, and to his credit, he didn't yell or faint.

How to describe this small package of dog love? He is, as I said above, very skinny. He was a stray, about 2 years old and unaltered (read male genitalia intact) and dirty.

But I didn't really see that. He is sweetness incarnate. Some kids came down the hall with us and this little guy was a mess of wiggles, trying to kiss them. Sigh.

Tomorrow he is going to the vet, and they will check him out for heartworm (he hasn't been at the shelter long enough for them to do that) and see if he has enough weight to neuter him. Then, if we wish, he's ours.

I will delete any comments that state that we are crazy or stupid for maybe having another dog. I am happy and in love. I'm not hearing anything else.

17 comments:

Aren't you supposed to be keeping up with the Shannon's? If so you need 2 more dogs. Big, hairy, loving dogs. You go girl. I can't wait to meet the newest member of the Williams household. I was however hoping for a human baby boy, but canine boy is good as well.

I know, I know...but they didn't HAVE a bunny room! they did have an interesting brochure about pet bunnies. (This was in a rural area, and I bet they don't get many rabbits...people probably just "get rid" of them)Ack!

I am weeping. Thank you for loving this little boy. You get your real camera going until it SMOKES and tell us all about Mr. Skinny but Intact. You know Phoebe and I will be checking your blog every 15 minutes. Thank you for being you.

God love ya, Julie.You know, it's your fault that I even gave him the time of day. Or I should say it's Chet's fault. What a prime embassador for his breed.The camera is working at present, with spanking new batteries, and I will be sure to get better photos of him. You would have cried if you had seen him, Julie. I could count all of his vertebrae and ribs. He's all head. I can't tell if he is "brindly" like Chet. He was dirty...mud on his back and he feet were discolored. I hope he likes baths.

God bless you Susan, there was a Boston at my local shelter 2 weeks ago but I didn't get there fast enough. (She went home with Very Nice People very quickly.) I hope he got a clean bill of health at the vet and that your rats are up on high shelves when he comes home. Doing Napoleon Dynamite voice now--*Lucky!*What are you going to call him?

Julie's blog has that effect on me, too, after seeing how cute Chet Baker is!! I'm glad you found a version of Chet Baker - yay!! Enjoy and please keep us updated with photos and stories after you get him (I know you will)!

Dear Susan, As a breeder of Boston Terriers I am often "verklempt" as Julie so aptly puts it that a BT would show up in a shelter. Mine are sold with the understanding that they come back to me if lifestyle changes warrent it. Needless to say you have made my day by giving this poor little guy a good home. A word to the wise though...if you do have rodents be aware that my four BT's have taken downspouts OFF my house and the neighbors trying to get chipmunks! An uprooted buckeye, Janeyms

Click on this link when you are having a bad day and need a giggle

A Glossary for newcomers to the blog:

"Embrace your Inner Sheep": You'll just have to read back a ways for the explanation of that one.

FTS (Also known as F*** the Swainsons): When you just cannot, under any circumstances, get out and look at another bird today. That's it. I don't care what it is. F*** the Swainsons!

The Flock: A group of women (and a few men thrown in for good measure) who met here in Cyberspace and now travel together to birding festivals. We are unique in this because birders don't usually travel in "packs".

Learning Lemur: (See Science Chimp)

RAPTOR: A Cincinnati-based rehab center for birds of prey (also where I work)

Science Chimp: A term coined by Julie Zickefoose. Meaning anyone who sees something nature-oriented (whether it be scat or bones or the scene of a predator strike) and MUST figure out the circumstances. There is much grunting and "eep-eep-eeping" involved in a full-on Science Chimp display. Someone who is learning the art of Chimping can be called a "Learning Lemur".

"Squeee!": This is a noise you make when something is so cute or perfect, no other word will do.

"What? Lynne has herpes?": What your blogger heard and said during a quiet moment at an owl prowl when someone said that Lynne (Hasty Brook) has groupies.